DRM to Demo Receiver at IBC

The Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium will unveil a production-ready world-band consumer receiver, made by Coding Technologies together with the BBC and German device manufacturer AFG, and a preview version of its first publicly-available receiver, the DRM Software Radio made by Fraunhofer IIS-A, in a special preview with live transmissions at IBC 2002. DRM is made up of 75 broadcasters, network operators, manufacturers and researchers who have created a digital system for the broadcasting bands below 30 MHz. The DRM Software Radio is designed for private use. The unit is a downscaled version of an existing, professional Fraunhofer receiver. Its features include: audio MPEG-4 AAC +SBR decoding, multimedia reception, selection of service and the possibility to log the reception quality (which can later be sent back to DRM). Coding Technologies provided the radio's audio decoding library. At the same time, DRM will open the doors to listeners who want to be the first non-members to access its transmissions when the DRM Software Radio Project, managed by VT Merlin Communications, begins this December. Qualified radio amateurs and DXers who plan to purchase the software may register their interest during IBC. The special live preview, featuring DRM Chairman (and Executive Director of Marketing, Distribution & Technology at Deutsche Welle) Peter Senger, will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the DRM Booth in the Radio Hall (Hall 8), Stand 485.